SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Thousands in Lackawanna County look forward to parade day year after year, but the celebration also draws in quite the crowd from out of town.

28/22 News reporter Avery Nape stopped by a hotel in Scranton Friday afternoon to find out where people are coming from, and what made them decide on the Electric City.

Flags donning green, white, and orange line the streets of downtown Scranton; A sure sign that parade day is here once again. Each year the celebration draws thousands, not just from NEPA, but out of state too.

Scranton’s St. Patrick’s Parade is a tradition many look forward to, but for one couple from Maryland, it’s a first.

“We’re so excited to be here and partake in the festivities, and we just walked into the hotel and there’s bagpipers playing,” said Lucille Brennan, who is visiting from Maryland.

Her husband Jerry asked, “I heard this is like one of the biggest ones on the east coast or something. I don’t know, is that true?”

It sure is, in fact it’s one of the largest in the country. Each year around 150,000 people make their way to the electric city to watch, and around 12,000 participate. One of those participants, who’s been coming to the parade from New York City since 1999 is already celebrating.

“I already have beer in my hand, and I don’t even have a coat on, so I’m ready to go,” said Kevin Diegnan, a Drum Sergeant for the New York City Department of Sanitation’s pipe and drum band.

The famous 5th Avenue parade in NYC draws around 2 million spectators each year with around 150,000 participants; and, while it dwarfs Scranton’s celebration on paper, Diegnan says Scranton holds its own.

“If you’ve ever seen the New York City 5th Avenue parade it’s very close to it. A lot of people come, a lot of cheering, a lot of good bands show up here,” Diegnan said.

Visitors were keen to celebrate whether or not they were Irish.

“I’m Irish, my mother’s from Killarney, my father’s from Roscommon, I’m a Yankee,” Diegnan said.

Lucille Brennan was excited to be at the parade, despite her lack of Irish heritage.

“Every Saint Patrick’s Day I’m Irish,” Lucille Brennan said.

A feeling that many likely share as we head into the big weekend. The Scranton Saint Patrick’s Parade steps off Saturday at 11:45 a.m.

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